Printing device, control method of a printing device, and storage medium having a wireless communicator that is paired with an external device

ABSTRACT

A printing device has a print unit for printing on roll paper; a wireless communication unit for communicating wirelessly with a paired control device; and a controller for receiving print data by wireless communication from the control device, and controlling the print unit based on the received print data. When changing from a pairing-disabled mode to a pairing-enabled mode, the controller controls the print unit to print pairing-related information on roll paper, does not process pairing in the pairing-disabled mode, and processes pairing when a pairing request is received in the pairing-enabled mode.

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to JapanesePatent Application No. 2014-245491 filed on Dec. 4, 2014, No.2014-245609 filed on Dec. 4, 2014, and No. 2015-095707 filed on May 8,2015, and under 35 U.S.C. § 365 to PCT/JP2015/005707 filed on Nov. 16,2015. The entire disclosures of which are expressly incorporated byreference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a printing device, a control method of aprinting device, and a storage medium.

BACKGROUND

Systems in which devices communicate by short range radio communicationafter pairing of one device and another device are known from theliterature (see, for example, PTL 1).

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

JP-A-2012-209758

SUMMARY

When a printing device with ability to print on a recording medium pairswith an external device so that the devices can communicate wirelessly,there is a need to make pairing easy and improve user convenience evenwhen the printing device is a device that does not have a display devicefor displaying information by text or images on an LCD panel, forexample.

The invention is directed to the foregoing problem, and an objective ofthe invention is to provide a printing device that simplifies pairing, acontrol method of the printing device, and a storage medium.

Solution to Problem

To achieve the foregoing objective, a printing device according to atleast one embodiment of the invention has a print unit (a printmechanism) configured to print on a recording medium; a wirelesscommunication unit (a wireless communicator) configured to communicatewirelessly with a paired external device; and a control unit (acontroller) configured to receive print data by wireless communicationfrom the external device, and control the print unit based on thereceived print data, the control unit controlling the print unit toprint pairing-related information on the recording medium when changingfrom a first mode to a second mode, not pairing in the first mode, andin the second mode pairing when there is a pairing request.

This configuration of at least one embodiment of the inventionsimplifies pairing between a printing device and an external device.

The printing device of at least one embodiment of the invention is alsocharacterized by the control unit changing to the first mode when aspecific time has past after changing to the second mode.

This configuration enables secure pairing between the printing deviceand external device.

The printing device of at least one embodiment of the invention is alsocharacterized by the control unit changing from the first mode to thesecond mode when a specific condition is met.

This configuration enables secure pairing between the printing deviceand external device.

The printing device of at least one embodiment of the invention is alsocharacterized by the control unit determining if printing with the printunit is possible when the specific condition is met, and changing fromthe first mode to the second mode if printing is possible.

This configuration enables secure pairing between the printing deviceand external device.

The printing device of at least one embodiment of the invention is alsocharacterized by the specific condition being that a specific operationwas performed.

This configuration enables secure pairing between the printing deviceand external device.

The printing device of at least one embodiment of the invention is alsocharacterized by the specific operation including a combination of anoperation opening and closing a cover, and an operation of operating anoperating switch.

This configuration enables secure pairing between the printing deviceand external device.

The printing device of at least one embodiment of the invention is alsocharacterized by the specific condition being the power of the printingdevice turning on.

This configuration enables changing to the second mode when the printingdevice turns on.

The printing device of at least one embodiment of the invention is alsocharacterized by the control unit determining if printing with the printunit is possible when a pairing request is received in the second mode,and pairing in response to the pairing request if printing is possible.

This configuration can prevent the printing device from pairing when theprinting device cannot print with the print unit.

The printing device of at least one embodiment of the invention is alsocharacterized by being able to change the pairing authentication methodin the second mode.

This configuration can change the authentication method used forauthentication during pairing according to the authentication methodsused by the devices for pairing, and can change the authenticationmethod according to the level of security required.

The printing device of at least one embodiment of the invention is alsocharacterized by being able to change the method of not pairing in thefirst mode.

This configuration enables not pairing by a method appropriate to theenvironment in which the printing device is used.

To achieve the foregoing objective, another aspect of the invention is acontrol method of a printing device having a print unit that prints on arecording medium, and a wireless communication unit that communicateswirelessly with a paired external device, the control method including:printing pairing-related information on the recording medium with theprint unit when changing from a first mode not pairing with the externaldevice to a second mode for pairing with the external device in responseto a pairing request from the external device; and when print data isreceived by the wireless communication unit by wireless communicationfrom the external device after pairing in the second mode, printing onthe recording medium with the print unit based on the received printdata.

This configuration of at least one embodiment of the inventionsimplifies pairing between a printing device and an external device.

To achieve the foregoing objective, another aspect of the invention is astorage medium storing a program causing the control unit of a printingdevice having a print unit that prints on a recording medium, and awireless communication unit that communicates wirelessly with a pairedexternal device, to: print pairing-related information on the recordingmedium with the print unit when changing from a first mode not pairingwith the external device to a second mode for pairing with the externaldevice in response to a pairing request from the external device; andwhen print data is received by the wireless communication unit bywireless communication from the external device after pairing in thesecond mode, print on the recording medium with the print unit based onthe received print data.

This configuration of at least one embodiment of the inventionsimplifies pairing between a printing device and an external device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a printing system according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration ofthe printing device and control device.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an operation of the printing device.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an operation of the printing device.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an operation of the printing device andcontrol device.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to theaccompanying figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates a printing system 1 according to this embodiment.

The printing system 1 is a system used in shopping centers, retailstores such as department stores and convenience stores, and foodservice businesses such as restaurants, cafes, and bars.

The printing system 1 has functions for processing transactionsaccording to the products a customer purchases, and functions forissuing receipts according to the transactions.

Checkout counters L where customer transactions are processed areprovided in a store where the printing system 1 is deployed. A printingdevice 10 capable of producing receipts according to the transactions isdisposed at each checkout counter L. A control device 11 (externaldevice) is provided to the checkout clerk that processes the transactionat each checkout counter L.

The control device 11 is a tablet (flat) computer having a touch panel31 on the front.

The printing device 10 and the control device 11 assigned to eachcheckout clerk are previously paired using the Bluetooth (R) protocol.

To process transactions at the checkout counter L, the checkout clerkfirst wirelessly connects the control device 11 assigned to the clerk tothe printing device 10 by Bluetooth, and starts a dedicated application(referred to below as the dedicated application AP) previously installedon the control device 11.

The dedicated application AP provides a specific user interface to thecheckout clerk for processing transactions at the checkout counter L.

The checkout clerk inputs information according to the transactionthrough the user interface, and reads transaction-related informationdisplayed on the user interface.

When processing a transaction at the checkout counter L, the controldevice 11 controls the printing device 10 through functions of thededicated application AP to produce a receipt. The receipt produced bythe printing device 10 is then given to the customer.

Note that a wireless connection in this example means that a Bluetoothcommunication link is established between the printing device 10 andcontrol device 11, and the devices can send and receive data through thecommunication link.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration ofthe printing device 10 and the control device 11.

As shown in FIG. 2, the printing device 10 is a thermal line printerthat stores roll paper (recording media) and prints images by formingdots on the roll paper by a thermal line head.

As shown in FIG. 2, the printing device 10 includes a controller 20,print unit 21, storage unit 22 (storage 22), wireless communication unit23, input unit 24 (input 24), sensor unit 25 (sensor 25), and LED unit26 (LED 26).

The controller 20 comprises a CPU, ROM, RAM, and other peripheralcircuits, and controls the printing device 10. The controller 20controls the printing device 10 by reading and running an installedcontrol program such as firmware.

The print unit 21 has a conveyance mechanism for conveying the rollpaper stored inside the cabinet of the printing device 10, a printmechanism for printing images by forming dots on the roll paper by thethermal head, and a cutter mechanism for cutting the roll paper at aspecific position. The print unit 21 prints images on the roll paper bythe print mechanism while conveying the roll paper by the conveyancemechanism, and then cuts the roll paper at a specific position by thecutter mechanism, producing a receipt.

The storage unit 22 comprises a storage medium such as nonvolatilememory, and stores data.

The storage unit 22 stores firmware or other control program (program),and the controller 20 executes processes such as described below byreading and running the control program stored by the storage unit 22(storage medium).

The wireless communication unit 23 has a wireless communication moduleincluding a link manager, link controller, high frequency circuit, andantenna, and establishes a communication link with the control device 11and communicates wirelessly by Bluetooth as controlled by the controller20.

The input unit 24 includes a power switch 241 for turning device poweron/off, a feed switch 242 for conveying the roll paper, and otheroperating switches. The input unit 24 detects operation of the operatingswitches and outputs to the controller 20. The controller 20 thenexecutes processes appropriate to the operation of the operating switchbased on the input from the input unit 24.

The sensor unit 25 includes multiple sensors and a converter that A/Dconverts the detection values from the sensors, and outputs thedetection values of the sensors to the controller 20.

The sensors include a sensor for detecting if a cover not shown disposedto the printing device 10 is open or closed; a position detection sensorfor detecting the position of the roll paper; sensors for detectingerrors related to roll paper conveyance, errors related to the printmechanism, and other errors; a sensor for detecting the position of thecutter of the cutter mechanism; a sensor for detecting the temperatureof the thermal head of the print mechanism; and a sensor for detectingif the roll paper has run out.

Based on input from the sensor unit 25, the controller 20 detects thestate of the printing device 10.

The LED unit 26 has one or more LEDs, and causes the LEDs to turn on/offin a specific pattern as controlled by the controller 20.

The control device 11 is a tablet computer.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 11 includes a control devicecontroller 30, touch panel 31, control device storage unit 32 (controldevice storage 32), and control device wireless communication unit 33(control device wireless communicator 33).

The control device controller 30 comprises a CPU, ROM, RAM, and otherperipheral circuits, and controls the control device 11.

The touch panel 31 includes a display panel such as an LCD panel, and atouch sensor disposed over the display panel. The display panel displaysimages as controlled by the control device controller 30. The touchsensor detects touch operations and outputs to the control devicecontroller 30. The control device controller 30 executes processesappropriate to the touch operations based on input from the touch panel31.

The control device storage unit 32 has nonvolatile memory and storesdata.

The control device wireless communication unit 33 has a wirelesscommunication module, and establishes a communication link with theprinting device 10 and communicates wirelessly by Bluetooth ascontrolled by the control device controller 30.

Operation of the control device 11 and printing device 10 when producinga receipt is described next.

In this operation the printing device 10 and control device 11 arealready paired and a wireless connection is open between the devices (acommunication link is established). The dedicated application AP on thecontrol device 11 has started, and the user interface provided by thededicated application AP is displayed on the touch panel 31.

The process of the control device controller 30 described below isexecuted by functions of control programs including the dedicatedapplication AP, an API (Application Programming Interface) that can beread by the dedicated application AP, and the operating system of thecontrol device 11.

The control device controller 30 of the control device 11 generatesprint data instructing producing a receipt when operation of a touchbutton instructing producing a receipt is detected aftertransaction-related information is input to the user interface providedby the dedicated application AP. The print data is control datacomprising control commands in the command language of the printingdevice 10.

Next, the control device controller 30 controls the control devicewireless communication unit 33 to send the generated print data to theprinting device 10.

The controller 20 of the printing device 10 controls the wirelesscommunication unit 23 to receive the print data the control device 11sent.

Next, the controller 20 controls the print unit 21 to produce a receiptbased on the received print data.

As described above, a paired control device 11 is wirelessly connectedto the printing device 10, and processes including producing receiptsare executed as controlled by the wirelessly connected control device11.

Freely pairing the printing device 10 with terminals other than thecontrol device 11 assigned to the checkout clerk, that is, pairing witha terminal the printing device 10 is not permitted to communicate with,is not appropriate. This is because, for example, a third party with badintentions could connect to the printing device 10 and take over controlof the printing device 10, or cause the printing device 10 to printunanticipated information.

Pairing generally involves authentication using a passkey of a specificnumber of values. However, passkeys are often simple values to simplifymanagement, and authentication using a passkey may not be able toeffectively prevent pairing with a terminal other than the controldevice 11.

Methods that do not use a passkey have been proposed as authenticationmethods for authentication when pairing, and when such authenticationmethods are used for pairing, devices that are not permitted tocommunicate with the printing device 10 can easily pair with theprinting device 10.

A printing device 10 according to this embodiment of the invention andthe control device 11 therefore execute the process described below whenpairing.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the operation of the printing device 10 whenpairing.

Note that when the operation described in FIG. 3 starts, the operatingmode of the printing device 10 is set to a pairing-disabled mode (firstmode).

As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 20 of the printing device 10 monitorsif a condition (referred to below as a mode transition condition) thattriggers changing to a pairing-enabled mode (second mode) is met (stepSA1).

The pairing-enabled mode is a mode allowing pairing between the printingdevice 10 and control device 11. When the printing device 10 is in thepairing-enabled mode, the printing device 10 pairs with the controldevice 11 in response to a request from the control device 11.

The mode transition condition is that a specific operation was performedon the printing device 10. In this embodiment, the specific operation isthat the feed switch 242 is operated when a cover on the printing device10 is open, and the cover is closed while the feed switch 242 is stillbeing operated. The controller 20 detects if this operation is performedbased on input from the input unit 24 and input from the sensor unit 25.

Note that the specific operation is not limited to the foregoing. Forexample, the specific operation may be that the feed switch 242 isoperated in a specific way (such as operated five times within twoseconds), that the position of the cutter moves while the feed switch242 is operated, or that the cover is opened and closed in a specificway (such as opened and closed four times in three seconds). Morespecifically, the specific operation is an operation that the user mustperform intentionally. Such an operation can prevent unintentionallyentering the pairing-enabled mode due to accidentally performing thespecific operation.

The mode transition condition may also be the power turning on. By usingthis as the mode transition condition, the pairing-enabled mode can beentered when the device turns on. As will be understood below, changingto the pairing-enabled mode happens at a specific time. In general, theprinting device 10 is turned on by a specific person when the storeopens for business. Pairing is therefore not made less secure even ifthe power turning on is used as the mode transition condition.

If the mode transition condition is met (step SA1: YES), the controller20 determines if printing is possible based on input from the sensorunit 25 (step SA2).

For example, printing is not possible if an error has occurred in theconveyance mechanism or print mechanism, if there is no paper, if acover is open, or if an error has occurred in the receive buffer storingreceived data.

If printing is not possible (step SA2: NO), the controller 20 executesan error handling process (step SA3).

For example, the controller 20 may control the LED unit 26 to drive anLED on/off in a specific pattern to report that printing is not possibleand the pairing-enabled mode will not be entered. As a result, the usercan know that printing is not possible, and based thereon, can takeappropriate action, such as resolving the error in the printing device10.

If printing is possible (step SA2: YES), the controller 20 controls theprint unit 21 to print pairing-related information in a configurationreport (step SA4). The pairing-related information includes the BD(Bluetooth device) address, the device name of the printing device 10,the passkey used for authentication during pairing, a 2D coderepresenting the passkey, and information indicating the period of thepairing-enabled mode.

Note that as described below the controller 20 sets the operating modeto the pairing-enabled mode for a specific period starting from aspecific time. The information indicating the period of thepairing-enabled mode printed on the configuration report may containonly information indicating when the period starts and informationindicating the specific period. For example, if the pairing-enabled modeis entered when printing the configuration report ends and the specificperiod is two minutes, the information indicating the period of thepairing-enabled mode may be a statement such as “pairing is enabled for2 minutes after printing this report ends.”

Note that the pairing-related information printed on the configurationreport is not limited to the foregoing information, only part of theforegoing information may be printed, other information may be printedin addition to the foregoing information, or other information may beprinted instead of the foregoing information.

The user acquires the pairing-related information by referring to thepairing-related information printed on the configuration report.

The controller 20 goes to the pairing-enabled mode when theconfiguration report is printed (step SA5). While the operating mode isset to the pairing-enabled mode, the printing device 10 processespairing between the printing device 10 and control device 11 in responseto a request from the control device 11.

Note that the pairing-enabled mode may be entered in step SA5 whenprinting the configuration report starts (timed to the start of printingthe configuration report plus a specific margin). The pairing-enabledmode may also be entered in step SA5 when printing the configurationreport ends (timed to the end of printing the configuration report plusa specific margin). More specifically, the process of step SA5 does notneed to wait until the process of step SA4 ends, and the process of stepSA4 and the process of step SA5 may execute simultaneously in part.However, if changing to the pairing-enabled mode starts when printingthe configuration report ends, user convenience is improved becausechanging to the pairing-enabled mode occurs after the user is able toread the information (information including information used forpairing) printed on the configuration report.

The controller 20 of the printing device 10 according to this embodimentthus controls the print unit 21 to print pairing-related information onroll paper (recording media) when changing from the pairing-disabledmode (first mode) to the pairing-enabled mode (second mode).

This embodiment of the invention prints a configuration report inresponse to changing to the pairing-enabled mode. As a result, the usercan know that the pairing-enabled mode was entered by seeing that theconfiguration report was printed, and can know to perform the pairingoperation within the specified time in order to complete pairing.

During the specific period after changing to the pairing-enabled mode,an LED is also driven on/off in a specific pattern so that the user canknow that the printer is in the pairing-enabled mode.

Furthermore, if the mode transition condition is met but printing is notpossible, this embodiment of the invention does not change to thepairing-enabled mode. This is for the following reason.

Specifically, this is because when printing is not possible the printingdevice 10 cannot print the configuration report, and the user cannotknow the pairing-enabled mode was entered and cannot get the informationrequired for pairing.

Using its ability to print, the printing device 10 in this embodiment ofthe invention prints a configuration report based on changing to thepairing-enabled mode, and user convenience can thereby be improved, butexecutes an appropriate handling process in situations in which printingis not possible and the configuration report cannot be output.

Pairing when the operating mode is set to the pairing-enabled mode isdescribed further below.

After entering the pairing-enabled mode, the controller 20 monitors ifthe specific period has past (step SA6).

If the specific period has past (step SA6: YES), the controller 20changes from the pairing-enabled mode to the pairing-disabled mode.

While the operating mode is set to the pairing-disabled mode, thecontroller 20 does not process pairing. How the controller 20 does notprocess pairing when the operating mode is set to the pairing-disabledmode is described further below.

In this embodiment as described above, pairing is possible for aspecific period of time after the mode transition condition is met, andpairing is not possible outside of this specific period of time. Inaddition, the mode transition condition is that the user intentionallyperforms a specific operation, and a third party cannot intentionallycause the mode transition condition to be met.

As a result, pairing between a third-party terminal and the printingdevice 10 can be prevented.

Pairing while the operating mode is set to the pairing-enabled mode isdescribed next.

The basic operation of the printing device 10 when the operating mode isset to the pairing-enabled mode is described first.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the basic operation of the printing device 10when the operating mode is set to the pairing-enabled mode.

As shown in FIG. 4, the controller 20 of the printing device 10 monitorsfor a pairing request from an external device (including the controldevice 11) (step SB1).

If there is a pairing request (step SB1: YES), the controller 20determines if the print unit 21 can print (step SB2).

If printing is not possible (step SB2: NO), the controller 20 executesan appropriate process (step SB3).

For example, the controller 20 may control the LED unit 26 to turn anLED on/off in a specific pattern to indicate that printing is notpossible and pairing will not occur. As a result, the user can know thatprinting is not possible, and based thereon, can take appropriateaction, such as resolving the error in the printing device 10.

If printing is possible (step SB2: YES), the controller 20 proceeds withpairing (step SB4). Note that depending on the authentication method instep SB4 pairing may fail depending on the result of authentication.

The printing device 10 in this embodiment of the invention thus does notpair even if the operating mode is set to the pairing-enabled mode ifthe print unit 21 cannot print. The reason for this is described below.

It is expected that when there is a pairing request, the external device(the control device 11 in this example) that requested pairing and theprinting device 10 will connect wirelessly after pairing, and theprinting device 10 will print as controlled by the control device 11.However, if the print unit 21 cannot print, the printing device 10cannot normally execute processes based on control data received fromthe control device 11. In addition, if the control device 11 connectswirelessly to the printing device 10 when the printing device 10 cannotprint with the print unit 21, the control device 11 must execute aprocess appropriate to the printing device 10 being unable to print (forexample, receive an error report, respond to the error report, andreport an error based on the error report), and the processing load ofthe control device 11 increases. Furthermore, if the printing device 10cannot print as controlled by the control device 11 after the printingdevice 10 and control device 11 connect wirelessly, the user mayerroneously think that the reason is because the devices did not paircorrectly or were unable to connect wirelessly. In addition, byreporting that the print unit 21 is unable to print when a pairingrequest is received, the user can quickly be made aware that the printunit 21 cannot print before a wireless connection is actually openedbetween the printing device 10 and control device 11, and can quicklyresolve the problem.

Based on the foregoing, when the print unit 21 cannot print, theprinting device 10 does not pair in response to a pairing request, andas a result prompts resending a pairing request after the problempreventing printing is resolved.

This embodiment of the invention can change the authentication methodused for pairing to any of three authentication methods, a firstauthentication method, a second authentication method, and a thirdauthentication method. Because the authentication method can be changed,the authentication method can be changed according to the authenticationmethods the devices can use, and the authentication method can bechanged according to the level of security required.

First Authentication Method

The first authentication method is an authentication methodcorresponding to the Just Works method of the SSP (Secure SimplePairing) model.

In the first authentication method, when there is a pairing request fromthe control device 11, the controller 20 of the printing device 10follows the steps in the corresponding protocol for pairing instead ofusing a passkey.

Because the first authentication method requires little userintervention for pairing, the burden on the user is low. In addition,because pairing is possible only during a limited time as describedabove, security is maintained in the pairing process.

Second Authentication Method

The second authentication method is an authentication methodcorresponding to the SSP Numeric Comparison method.

In the second authentication method, the printing device 10 and controldevice 11 execute the following process following the steps of thecorresponding protocol. More specifically, the control device controller30 of the control device 11 displays the passkey in a specific userinterface, and causes the user to input whether or not the passkey iscorrect. If the user inputs to the control device 11 that the passkey iscorrect and confirmation is received from the control device 11, thecontroller 20 of the printing device 10 authenticates the control device11, and the printing device 10 and control device 11 pair. Note that inthis embodiment the printing device 10 does not display a passkey andreceive input confirming if the passkey is correct, but may beconfigured to do so.

Because the user simply inputs whether or not the passkey displayed onthe control device 11 is correct, the burden on the user in the secondauthentication method is low. Furthermore, because the passkey isprinted in the configuration report that is printed when the printingdevice 10 changes to the pairing-enabled mode, the user can easily andreliably determine if the passkey displayed on the control device 11 iscorrect or not by referring to the configuration report.

Third Authentication Method

The third authentication method is an authentication methodcorresponding to the SSP Passkey Entry method.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the operation of the printing device 10 andcontrol device 11 when using the third authentication method forauthentication. Column (A) of FIG. 5 shows the operation of the printingdevice 10, and column (B) of FIG. 5 shows the operation of the controldevice 11.

As shown in column (B) of FIG. 5, the user operates the control device11 to display a user interface related to Bluetooth settings, andcommands discovering Bluetooth devices (step SX1).

In response to the command from step SX1, the control device controller30 of the control device 11 discovers for the printing device 10 as aBluetooth device, displays the device name of the printing device 10 ina selectable manner in the user interface, and presents an input fieldfor the passkey corresponding to the device name (step SD1).

Discovering the printing device 10 is done by the printing device 10receiving a discovery packet that is broadcast according to a specificBluetooth protocol, and processing the packet according to the protocol.

The user selects the printing device 10 displayed in the user interface,and inputs the passkey to the corresponding field (step SX2).

Because the passkey is printed on the configuration report printed whenthe printing device 10 changes to the pairing-enabled mode, the user caneasily and accurately identify the passkey to input by referring to theconfiguration report.

Note that the passkey may be input by reading a 2D code representing thepasskey printed on the configuration report.

In response to the input of step SX2, the control device controller 30of the control device 11 sends a pairing request signal (requestspairing) (step SD2).

Note that while not shown in the flow chart, in response to transmissionof the pairing request signal by the control device 11, the printingdevice 10 and control device 11 communicate by an appropriate protocoland send and receive the required information.

As shown in column (A) of FIG. 5, in response to receiving a pairingrequest, the controller 20 of the printing device 10 determines if theprint unit 21 can print (step SC1).

If the print unit 21 is not able to print (step SC1: YES), thecontroller 20 reports the same by a process of driving an LED, forexample, without pairing (step SC2).

If the print unit 21 can print (step SC1: YES), the controller 20proceeds with pairing using a passkey based on the received pairingrequest signal (step SC3).

Next, the controller 20 sends a pairing confirmation signal reportingthe result of the pairing process (step SC4). The pairing confirmationsignal is a signal indicating whether or not pairing was successful.

As shown in column (B) of FIG. 5, the control device controller 30 ofthe control device 11 executes a process appropriate to receiving thepairing confirmation signal (step SD3). For example, the control devicecontroller 30 displays information indicating the success/failure ofpairing in a user interface.

More secure pairing is possible with the third authentication methodbecause passkey authentication is used for pairing.

Methods whereby the printing device 10 does not process pairing when theoperating mode is set to the pairing-disabled mode is described next.

The method of not pairing in this embodiment can be changed to either afirst method or a second method. Because the method can be changed, themethod appropriate to the printing device 10 environment can beselected.

First Method

In the first method, the controller 20 of the printing device 10 doesnot broadcast a packet for discovering devices when the operating modeis set to the pairing-disabled mode.

With the first method, when the operating mode is set to thepairing-disabled mode, the control device 11 cannot discover theprinting device 10 and cannot send a pairing request. As a result,pairing between a third-party terminal and the printing device 10 can beprevented when the pairing-disabled mode is the operating mode.

In addition, because a third party cannot recognize the printing device10 as a Bluetooth device by looking for Bluetooth devices when theoperating mode is set to the pairing-disabled mode, pairing by a thirdparty can be more effectively prevented.

A configuration that does not process pairing and simply returns apairing confirmation signal including information that pairing failedwhen a discover packet is broadcast and a pairing request is receivedfrom the control device 11 is also conceivable.

Second Method

In this second method, when the operating mode is set to thepairing-disabled mode, the controller 20 of the printing device 10broadcasts a device discovery packet, but when a pairing request isreceived from an external device, returns a pairing confirmation signalcontaining information that pairing failed without processing pairing.

This second method enables an authorized person to know that theoperating mode is set to the pairing-disabled mode when pairing isattempted but fails, and can perform the specific operation to change tothe pairing-enabled mode and retry pairing.

As described above, a printing device 10 according to this embodimenthas a print unit 21 for printing on roll paper (recording media); awireless communication unit 23 for communicating wirelessly with apaired control device 11 (external device); and a controller 20 forreceiving print data by wireless communication from the control device11, and controlling the print unit 21 based on the received print data.When changing from a pairing-disabled mode (first mode) to apairing-enabled mode (second mode), the controller 20 controls the printunit 21 to print pairing-related information on roll paper, does notprocess pairing in the pairing-disabled mode, and processes pairing whena pairing request is received in the pairing-enabled mode.

Because this configuration prints pairing-related information on rollpaper when changing from the pairing-disabled mode (first mode) to thepairing-enabled mode (second mode), the user can refer to theinformation printed on roll paper and complete pairing easily. Morespecifically, pairing between the printing device 10 and control device11 is simple.

When a specific period has past after changing to the pairing-enabledmode, the controller 20 in this embodiment changes to thepairing-disabled mode.

Because this configuration enables pairing during the specific periodand prevents pairing anytime outside this specific period, pairing canbe limited to a specific time, and pairing is secure.

The controller 20 in this embodiment changes from the pairing-disabledmode to the pairing-enabled mode when a specific condition (modetransition condition) is met.

This configuration prevents a terminal of a third-party other than theuser that knows the specific condition from pairing, and enables securepairing.

When a specific condition is met in this embodiment, the controller 20determines if printing with the print unit 21 is possible, and ifpossible, goes from the pairing-disabled mode to the pairing-enabledmode.

This configuration prevents pairing based on a pairing request whenprinting with the print unit 21 is not possible.

The specific condition in this embodiment is that a specific operationwas performed.

This configuration prevents a terminal of a third-party other than theuser that knows the specific condition from pairing, and enables securepairing.

The specific condition in this embodiment may also be that an operationcombining an operation of opening and closing a cover, and an operationof operating the feed switch 242, is performed.

This configuration uses the printing device 10 configuration having acover and a feed switch 242 to prevent changing to the pairing-enabledmode unintentionally due to the specific operation being performedaccidentally.

The specific condition in this embodiment may also be the device powerturning on.

This configuration enables entering the pairing-enabled mode when thepower turns on. As described above, the printing device 10 is generallyturned on by a specific person when the store opens for business.Pairing is therefore not made less secure even if the power turning onis used as the mode transition condition.

When there is a pairing request in the pairing-enabled mode in thisembodiment, the controller 20 determines if printing with the print unit21 is possible, and if printing is possible processes pairing inresponse to the pairing request.

In this configuration the printing device 10 can prevent pairing whenprinting with the print unit 21 is not possible.

This embodiment can also change the authentication mode used for pairingin the pairing-enabled mode.

This configuration can change the authentication method used forauthentication during pairing according to the authentication methodsused by the devices for pairing, and can change the authenticationmethod according to the level of security required.

This embodiment can also change the method used for not pairing in thepairing-disabled mode.

This configuration enables not pairing by a method appropriate to theenvironment in which the printing device 10 is used.

The invention is described above with reference to a preferredembodiment thereof, but the invention is not limited thereto and can bemodified and adapted in many ways without departing from the scope ofthe accompanying claims.

For example, the printing system 1 is used in a store, and the printingdevice 10 prints receipts as controlled by the control device 11, in theembodiment described above. However, how the printing system 1 is usedis not so limited. More specifically, the invention can be applied toany system in which the printing device 10 communicates wirelessly witha paired device, and the printing device 10 and control device 11communicate wirelessly after pairing.

The printing device 10 in the foregoing embodiment is a thermal printer,but the printing method of the printing device 10 is not limited tothermal printing, and may use an inkjet or other type of printingmethod. The printing device 10 may also be a desktop-type device that isstationary on a counter, for example, or a mobile printer that is heldby the user.

The function blocks described above with reference to the figures can beembodied as desired by the cooperation of hardware and software, and donot suggest a specific hardware configuration.

As described above, the invention is useful as a pairing method forpairing a device with a print capability and an external device, and isparticularly useful as a pairing method that enables easily pairingdevices.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1 printing system-   10 printing device-   11 control device (external device)-   20 controller-   21 print unit-   23 wireless communication unit

The invention claimed is:
 1. A printing device comprising: a printmechanism configured to print on a recording medium; a wirelesscommunicator configured to communicate wirelessly with a paired externaldevice; and a controller configured to receive print data by wirelesscommunication from the paired external device, and control the printmechanism based on the received print data, wherein the controller isfurther configured to control the print mechanism to printpairing-related information on the recording medium before the printingdevice enters a second mode when changing the printing device from afirst mode to a second mode, to not allow pairing of the printing devicewith any external device in the first mode, to allow pairing in thesecond mode when there is a pairing request, and to not allow pairingwhen the print mechanism cannot print, wherein a pairing authenticationmethod is used for pairing, the pairing authentication method beingconfigured to be changed to any of a plurality of authenticationmethods, the pairing authentication method being changed according tothe authentication method that the printing device is configured to useor according to a level of security required.
 2. The printing devicedescribed in claim 1, the controller changing to the first mode when aspecific time has passed after changing to the second mode.
 3. Theprinting device described in claim 1, the controller changing from thefirst mode to the second mode when a specific condition is met.
 4. Theprinting device described in claim 3, the controller determining ifprinting with the print mechanism is possible when the specificcondition is met, and changing from the first mode to the second mode ifprinting is possible.
 5. The printing device described in claim 3, thespecific condition being that a specific operation was performed.
 6. Theprinting device described in claim 5, the specific operation including acombination of an operation opening and closing a cover, and anoperation of operating an operating switch.
 7. The printing devicedescribed in claim 3, the specific condition being the power turning on.8. The printing device described in claim 1, the controller determiningif printing with the print mechanism is possible when a pairing requestis received in the second mode, and pairing in response to the pairingrequest if printing is possible.
 9. The printing device described inclaim 1, wherein the pairing authentication method in the second modecan be changed.
 10. The printing device described in claim 1, wherein amethod of not pairing in the first mode can be changed.
 11. The printingdevice described in claim 1, wherein pairing is possible for a specificperiod of time after a mode transition condition is met, and pairing isnot possible after the specific period of time is exceeded.
 12. Theprinting device described in claim 1, wherein when the print mechanismcannot print, the controller resends a pairing request when the printeris able to resume printing.
 13. The printing device described in claim1, wherein the pairing-related information includes at least one of apasskey used for authentication during pairing, a 2D code representing apasskey, and information indicating a period of the second mode.
 14. Acontrol method of a printing device having a print mechanism that printson a recording medium, and a wireless communicator that communicateswirelessly with a paired external device, comprising: printingpairing-related information on the recording medium with the printmechanism before the printing device enters a second mode when changingthe printing device from a first mode in which pairing between theprinting device and the paired external device is not allowed to thesecond mode in which pairing between the printing device and with thepaired external device is allowed in response to a pairing request fromthe paired external device; when print data is received by the wirelesscommunicator by wireless communication from the paired external deviceafter pairing in the second mode, printing on the recording medium withthe print mechanism based on the received print data; and not allowingpairing when the print mechanism cannot print, wherein a pairingauthentication method is used for pairing, and wherein the pairingauthentication method is configured to be changed to any of a pluralityof authentication methods, the pairing authentication method beingchanged according to the authentication method that the printing deviceis configured to use or according to a level of security required. 15.The control method of claim 14, wherein the pairing-related informationincludes at least one of a passkey used for authentication duringpairing, a 2D code representing a passkey, and information indicating aperiod of the second mode.
 16. A non-transitory storage medium storing aprogram causing the controller of a printing device having a printmechanism that prints on a recording medium, and a wireless communicatorthat communicates wirelessly with a paired external device, to: printpairing-related information on the recording medium with the printmechanism before the printing device enters a second mode when changingthe printing device from a first mode in which pairing between theprinting device and the paired external device is not allowed to thesecond mode in which pairing between the printing device and with thepaired external device is allowed in response to a pairing request fromthe paired external device; when print data is received by the wirelesscommunicator by wireless communication from the paired external deviceafter pairing in the second mode, print on the recording medium with theprint mechanism based on the received print data; and not allow pairingwhen the print mechanism cannot print, wherein a pairing authenticationmethod is used for pairing, the pairing authentication method beingconfigured to be changed to any of a plurality of authenticationmethods, the pairing authentication method being changed according tothe authentication method that the printing device is configured to useor according to a level of security required.
 17. The non-transitorystorage medium of claim 16, wherein the pairing-related informationincludes at least one of a passkey used for authentication duringpairing, a 2D code representing a passkey, and information indicating aperiod of the second mode.